Rockets report: Injuries, illness continue to put damper on efforts

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The Rockets’ injury issues took another unexpected turn when guard Jeremy Lin developed back spasms following a collision Friday with Golden State center Andrew Bogut.

Lin missed Sunday’s loss and is expected to be out Wednesday against Chicago, having played two games after missing six with a sprained and bruised right knee.

Lin said he ran into Bogut on a screen in the first half, but kept playing. He played 21 minutes in that game and returned in the final minutes after Pat Beverley fouled out.

In addition to leaving the Rockets short-handed, it took away another game for Lin to work his way back from the six games out.

“I only played him 14 or 15 minutes in Portland because you could tell he was out of rhythm,” assistant coach Kelvin Sampson said. “The game kind of dictates your substitution patterns, … but I certainly made an effort against Golden State to get him more minutes. He needs to get in a rhythm.

“We’re disappointed that he’s out, not nearly as disappointed as he is, I’m sure.”

Guard James Harden left Sunday’s game with a sprained ankle. With Lin and center Omer Asik out, Rockets players have been out for a combined 43 games. The entire roster was out for a combined 50 games last season.

Forward Terrence Jones played a second consecutive game with the flu, but struggled and did not finish the game.

Howard sets free-throw goal

Center Dwight Howard went from making all seven of his free throws Friday to missing eight of the 13 he took Sunday.

Howard said he is determined to make Sunday’s free-throw shooting the aberration.

“Nights like this won’t happen a lot anymore,” said Howard, who is making 56 percent of his free throws, just shy of his 57.7 percent career shooting percentage from the line. “I put in too much work. I’m not going to allow myself to be a bad free-throw shooter anymore.

“I’m going to work my way up to being good and then be a great free-throw shooter.”

Casspi lauds Sacramento

As different as Sacramento and Houston are, forward Omri Casspi’s return to where his NBA career began Sunday left him seeing similarities, saying the same things he enjoyed about playing in Sacramento he has found in Houston.

“Sacramento is a nice, warm memory,” Casspi said. “It’s the place I started playing (NBA) basketball. It gave me a big lift to my career.

“People there are so nice. They really remind me of the people in Houston. They’re welcoming. They love the team in a different manner. They really support the team through ups and downs.

“There’s been a lot of downs the past few years in Sacramento. The fans are still there supporting. You see the same people. I love to go back. I have so many friends there. It’s really fun.”